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More than 100 veterans, including a medal recipient, went Sunday to the Atlanta History Center for a special celebration of Veterans Day that marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
By a cool and unimpeded morning, veterans who served in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan gathered with other people outside the center for a ceremony bringing together the sounds of life. a military band and a solitary bagpiper, as well as speakers seeking to evaluate the conflict place in the story.
At the ceremony, retired Major General James E. Livingston, one of the 74 recipients of the medal of honor, retired. Livingston, 78, and his wife, Sarah, occupied seats in the center of the front row. They were then greeted by many other veterinarians present.
Georgia Society The sons of the American Revolution are waiting to present their colors before the start of the commemoration of 2018 Veterans Day at the Atlanta History Center on Sunday, November 11, 2018. This year's ceremony marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. (Photo: STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL AT THE AJJ)
Often called "the Great War" or "the war to end all wars", the First World War killed 10 million fighters and involved 32 countries in fighting in various parts of the world. Yet its meaning and horrors have been overtaken by more recent events, a theme that those who spoke on Sunday incorporated in their remarks.
Sheffield Hale, President and Chief Executive Officer of the History Center, described the end of the war in the Compiegne Forest, France, "a day about 15 degrees colder and a lot more foggy than today" # 39; hui. " However, since then, it has sometimes been lost our collective memory, "he said.
He added that while thousands of Georgians died during the war, "we miss many of their stories".
Charles A. Dobbins bowed his head during the invocation on the occasion of the commemoration of 2018 Veterans Day at the Atlanta History Center on Sunday, November 11, 2018. (Photo by STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL AT THE CJA)
Guest speaker Billy Wells, an army retired colonel, noted that the First World War marked the beginning of an era of warfare characterized by powerful artillery, tanks and airpower. But the repairs requested from Germany left the country in a difficult economic situation and favored the rise of nationalism – a prelude to the Second World War.
"There is no" war to end all wars "… nor is there a" great war ", said Wells, senior vice president of leadership and engagement at the University of North Georgia.
People are browsing the information about the veterans history project in the atrium of the Atlanta History Center after the commemoration of 2018 Veterans Day on Sunday, November 11th. 2018. (Photo: STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL AT THE CJA)
In an interview after the ceremony, Livingston, who grew up in Lumber City and now lives in Charleston, SC, also explained how the First World War led to innovations in the field of armaments, but had been misunderstood as ultimate goal of human conflict.
"They said it would be the last war and look where we are today," he said.
Livingston, who has made three tours in Vietnam and has been awarded the medal of honor for services rendered beyond the call of duty at the Battle of Dai Do, said that remembering those who had served during the First World War, he reminded her of the "legacy" of a generation. from soldiers to one another and his belief that more people should serve the country.
"I would like to see more sacrifices in some way," he said. "More (people) should give back to our country."
The ceremony began with the ringing of "peace bells" marking the moment chosen for the armistice – the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Martin Berning sings the national anthem at the start of the commemoration of 2018 Veterans Day at the Atlanta History Center on Sunday, November 11, 2018. This year's ceremony marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. At AJC)
Stone Mountain's Wayne Coleman then played a mix of military melodies on his bagpipes, including "Over There," the patriotic song written by George M. Cohan, which became popular during the war.
Bagpiper Wayne Coleman performs at the commemoration of 2018 Veterans Day at the Atlanta History Center on Sunday, November 11, 2018. (Photo: STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL AT CJA)
Coleman, who plays the same bagpipe as his father as a soldier during the Second World War, closed the ceremony with another medley that also included "Over There".
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